Tiote back training at Toon

Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote (pictured) is training back on Tyneside after being refused a visa to join the rest of the squad in the United States.

The Ivory Coast international was not among the party which jetted out to America at the weekend and head coach Steve McClaren has since confirmed he did not travel because of an administrative issue.

McClaren tsaid: "He has had visa complications and trying to get him over the visa issue has been difficult, but it wasn't successful. He is training back home."

People with criminal convictions sometimes have problems in securing a visa for the United States. Tiote was given a seven-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months and 180 hours community service in October 2013 after admitting possession of a fake driving licence.

New signing Georginio Wijnaldum is due to join his team-mates on the other side of the Atlantic today after completing his move to St James' Park from PSV Eindhoven on Saturday.